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US 2025/0197727 A1Published application
Method and systems for transporting bitumen in solidified form
AssigneeCanadian National Railway Company
InventorsJames Auld, John Bleile, Kasra Nikooyeh, Amanda Prefontaine, Derek Stanger, Jesse White
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid bitumen pellet, including a mixture of bitumen and an additive, where the additive operates to increase the viscosity of the mixture. Optionally, the pellet includes a protective shell.
Claims28
-19. (canceled)
A substantially solid pellet comprising:
- a) a pellet body comprising non-volatile bituminous material;
- and
- b) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces configured to substantially reduce surface contact with other pellets positioned nearby.
A substantially solid pellet comprising:
- a) a pellet body shaped as an irregular solid and comprising non-volatile bituminous material and an additive;
- and
- b) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces.
A cargo including a plurality of substantially solid pellets, each solid pellet in said plurality of substantially solid pellets comprising:
- c) a pellet body comprising non-volatile bituminous material;
- and
- d) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces configured to substantially reduce surface contact with other pellets amongst said plurality of solid pellets positioned nearby.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.